Nbcrfi
Trade in Cape Town

National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry.

It has, over the years, undergone a number of changes primarily in accordance with the laws of the day. The Council is governed by the Labour Relations Act of 1995, which allows for employer and employee organisations to establish a bargaining council for an industry and area. Through collective bargaining, trade unions and employer organisations, which are party to the Council, are able to negotiate matters that are of mutual interest to the Road Freight and Logistics Industry. This approach allows for better regulation of matters which affect the Industry as a whole, thereby enforcing minimum standards and conditions of employment within the Road Freight and Logistics Industry, which ultimately contributes to labour stability. The Council also supports its members through managing the Industry’s annual leave, sick leave, holiday bonus funds, and by providing health and wellness as well as dispute resolution management services. We oversee the overall funds and benefits administration, compliance, enforcement and exemption of the various Collective Agreements that govern the NBCRFLI. Through our Funds Administration department, we effectively and efficiently process all funds on behalf of the NBCRFLI. Agreement Administration trains Council staff members and stakeholders to understand, interpret and apply Collective Agreements and the rules pertaining to Collective Agreements, including the provisions of the Council’s Constitution. Where necessary, this section also re-drafts Collective Agreements and is involved with annual wage negotiations. The Returns Control section maintains strict control over non-compliance of monthly levy contributions. This involves the identification of non-compliant companies as well as the conciliation of agreement contraventions. This section deals with the arbitrations of agreement contraventions, such as the enforcement of invoices and late payments per levy number. A key role played by the Council includes ensuring compliance and enforcement of the Collective Agreements within the road freight and logistics industry. The Litigation section keeps a strict control over non-compliance in general. The Exemptions section deals with all applications for exemptions from the provisions of Collective Agreements. The Disputes Resolution section ensures that Disputes Resolutions are resolved timeously in order to maintain industrial peace within the industry. The disputes typically involve unfair dismissal and unfair labour practices. It also oversees the administration of agency shop fees as well as recruitment-related matters. These centres are situated along all the South African major routes and operate mostly at night, which is the most convenient and accessible time for long-distance truck drivers. The Wellness Centres are staffed by registered nurses and counsellors who provide holistic medical and emotional support to drivers, their partners and commercial sex-workers. The Trucking Wellness programme has been recognised by the Departments of Transport and Health as playing a vital role in creating awareness of HIV and Aids, as well as sexually transmitted infections. The national prevalence of HIV&AIDS is estimated at 12%. Trucking Wellness provides anti-retroviral treatment, education and training to road freight and logistics industry employees who fall within the Council's registered scope. The Health Plan is available to all active NBCRFLI members who are contributing to the Wellness Fund and meet the stipulated eligibility criteria.